Islington: A Four Star Authority under the Liberal Democrats (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Islington: A Four Star Authority under the Liberal Democrats

March 9, 2009 5:08 PM

Councillor James Kempton on the roof of Kestrel House, Bunhill

James Kempton, Liberal Democrat leader of Islington Council.

Islington's Liberal Democrat council has been rated as 'excellent' by independent inspectors - the top score possible. But Liberal Democrat leaders have promised that the hard work to keep improving the Council doesn't stop there.

The report from the Audit Commission says the council is improving strongly and highlighted particularly high standards in street cleaning, social care and benefit payment times.

Liberal Democrat Islington is just one of two London councils to go from a 'poor' score to 'excellent' in just seven years. When Labour ran Islington, the council was a notorious basket-case renowned for its poor services, political posturing and sky-high council tax - the highest in London.

Islington's Liberal Democrat Council Leader James Kempton said:

"I hope turning Islington round from being one of the worst councils in London to an excellent one shows that residents can trust the Liberal Democrats to give the best possible services at the best possible price.

"But we know that residents expect more and we are totally focused now on making even more improvements so that the Council becomes excellent in the eyes of residents. We will not rest on our laurels or let up.

"We are in uncharted waters as the recession bites deeper and residents and businesses rightly expect the Council to help out. That's why the Liberal Democrats have set aside up to £6 million to help the borough through the recession.

"People also rightly expect the council to get the maximum possible for every penny of their council tax. That's why it's good that the Audit Commission report shows how Islington gives good value-for-money. Liberal Democrats have kept our promise not to increase council tax more than inflation. It is shameful that Labour has now imposed a 2.5% council tax increase on Islington residents when they can least afford it."

What the Audit Commission says:

"The council continues to deliver strong improvement in key priority areas such as reducing crime, educational attainment, the environment and by helping more older people to live independently."
Islington's rate of improvement is "higher than the national average". During the last year over two thirds of Islington's performance indicators measured by the Audit Commission got better.

The Liberal Democrat council:

works closely with the police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
has ensured exam results go up at double the national rate. Over 56 per cent of Islington students gained five or more A*- C grades in their 2008 GCSE exams.
has made rapid progress towards becoming the greenest borough in London. The council has reduced its own CO2 output by 11% - saving over £650,000 in one year - and recycling rates rose to a record 31%.